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Statewide gas price averages inch closer to $3.00 for holiday travel

As Texas families are gearing up for their holiday road trips, the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline in Texas is four cents less than the average last week, according to the AAA Texas Weekend Gas Watch. The current statewide average is $3.05.The national average is $3.21, five cents less than the average last week. The statewide average price is 16 cents less than the national average. The most expensive gasoline average in the state is in Texarkana at $3.07. El Paso is reporting the least expensive average in the state at $2.95 for a gallon of regular unleaded. As crude oil prices dropped last week, the price of gasoline at the pump continued to decline and is now at the lowest point since February 2011. While nationwide gasoline demand is historically nine million or more barrels per day at this time of year, last week’s government report showed a demand of just 8.6 million barrels which is 4.5 percent lower than the same period in 2010. As prices continue to decrease, AAA Texas is forecasting 6.9 million Texans plan to drive to their destination during the Year-End holidays, a 3 percent increase compared to last year. Texans are expected to travel an average of 817 miles round trip during the holidays. The 11-day Year-End holiday travel period is the longest holiday travel season of the year and is defined as Friday, December 23, 2011 to Monday, January 2, 2012.“Holiday travelers in Texas are paying an average of $43 for a typical 14-gallon fill up," said AAA Texas/New Mexico Public Affairs Representative Sarah Schimmer. “Gas prices in Texas have decreased about 84 cents since reaching the peak price in May of $3.89. For families still trying to finalize travel plans, visit www.fuelcostcalculator.com to get an estimated round-trip gas budget by entering the starting point, destination, make, model and year of their vehicle.